Landmark· Willemstad· Other Caribbean
Handelskade & Queen Emma Bridge (Willemstad)
12° 6.4′ N · 68° 56.1′ W
The candy-coloured Dutch merchant houses of Punda's Handelskade line the harbour mouth, linked to Otrobanda by the 'Swinging Old Lady' - a 168 m floating pontoon bridge that swings open for ships, at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage city.
Practical
Willemstad's historic area was inscribed by UNESCO in 1997 (Wikipedia). The Queen Emma pontoon bridge first opened in 1888 (current bridge installed 1939); when it swings open, two free ferries carry pedestrians (Wikipedia). The Curaçao Ports Authority announced a maintenance closure from Sunday August 2 through Friday September 25 and an electrification project (news September 11, 2026) - check status. The high Queen Juliana road bridge stands 56 m above the water. Yachts transiting St Anna Bay call the Port Authority on VHF 12 for the bridge (Virgintino). Coordinate: Wikipedia (bridge).
Best for
Walking the most photogenic waterfront in the Caribbean
Nearby
- ABC Trade-Wind Season & Hurricane ExposureRight here
- Curaçao North Sea Jazz FestivalRight here
- Seú Harvest Festival (Willemstad)Right here
- Fort Amsterdam (Willemstad)0.1 NM away
- Museum Kura Hulanda0.1 NM away
- Curaçao Maritime Museum0.2 NM away
- Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue0.2 NM away
- Willemstad Clearance (Customs, Immigration & Harbour Master)0.2 NM away